I came! I saw! I drank the wine!

2010 Martin Codax Albarino

Bodegas Martin Codax is located in the town of Cambados in the Rias Baixas region of Spain. The winery produces five white wines and four liqueurs.

The 2010 Martin Codax Albarino was 100% Albarino. The wine was aged in stainless steel vats. The ABV was 12.93%.

I once had a superb Albarino. Of course, I did not take note of the name. Since then, I have been on a search for a great Albarino. I came across the Martin Codax at Wine Sellers. (I have also tracked down some La Cana Albarino, referred to me by Talk-A-Vino. I am picking it up this week and look forward to trying it.) My last go with this variety was the 2008 Dom Bardo Albarino. That venture did not fare very well.

Fortunately, things went better with this bottle of wine.

Prior to consumption, the wine was chilled.

The color of the wine was a very, pale straw. It was almost a translucent white.

The nose had bold, but friendly, notes of pear and peach. There was also some pronounced minerality.

The palate was crisp and clear. The most notable sensations were citrus, apple, and peach. There was something else in the background, anise or spice (?). I couldn’t nail it down, but it was enjoyable.

This wine would be an excellent pair with raw shellfish or a light fish entree. I used one-third of the bottle in my fish stew (which turned out great!). The remaining balance of the bottle was consumed by the occupants of the kitchen before the stew was done (I have a friendly kitchen!). Stick with fish for this wine.

The 2010 Martin Codax Albarino retails in the $18 range. It was an okay bottle of wine. Not great, but not horrible. While I would have it again, I think I will continue looking for that perfect Albarino (yes! more research!).

I too an in search for an Albarino that blows me away. I have tried a few that were meh and as a result I don’t give this varietal the attention that I do others. I will continue to follow your Albarino journey in hopes that you can find the golden egg for me! Your kitchen sounds like mine too! I often cook with wine and have been known to pick dishes to cook based on the wine I want to use so it will allow me to have that first glass well in advance of 5 o’clock.

I’ve been keeping an eye on this one because we sell it in the wine store [@Winn-Dixie]. The $18.00 price point has kept me away due to the fact that I believe Albarinos should be more affordable. I see many at lower price points and more so many in the Spanish community consider this young wine an every day summer wine. Your Albarino posts have got me intrigued in the varietal again, it’s been years since I had one. Thank you for the inspiration.
Regards,
Ernest.